Anatomy, Puberty & Periods
Why learn about sexual and reproductive anatomy?
Our bodies change all the time – and that’s okay! Everyone needs to learn about every part of their body, including the sexual and reproductive parts.
Being familiar with the different parts of sexual and reproductive anatomy, including those that you don’t have, is important. Learning how they work is key to having healthy sex and enjoying it, and preventing sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) and pregnancy. Identifying if something is wrong, like an infection, can be challenging – so let’s learn how our bodies work to stay healthy :)
Female sexual and reproductive anatomy
Let’s start with the outside or external anatomy. Together these are called the vulva. The clitoris is the main part of the vulva that feels good when touched. The labia provide some protection for the opening of the vagina, which is inside the body. Each person’s vulva is unique to them, with different colors and sizes.
Now let’s look at the inside or internal anatomy.
Many of the internal parts of the anatomy are responsible for reproduction, the processes needed for periods, pregnancy, and childbirth. Visit the pregnancy and periods pages for more info.
Male sexual and reproductive anatomy
Similar to female anatomy, male sexual and reproductive anatomy has both external and internal parts.
On the outside, there is the penis and scrotum. Inside the penis is the urethra which is a tube where urine comes out when someone pees and semen comes out when someone ejaculates. Sperm are created inside the body in the testicles and combined with liquid from the seminal vesicles to make semen. The size and shape of a penis are unique to that person.